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Egoboo (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Egoboo is a 3D open source
dungeon crawl
ing action role-playing game
with current support for Windows XP
, Windows Vista
, Linux
, Mac OS X
, and some earlier versions of Windows
. Users have downloaded Egoboo over 400,000 times since its first release, but this number is incomplete, since Egoboo can be downloaded from many other sites.
Currently Egoboo is being developed by the previous "Resurrection" project, which has reorganized itself as the official development team.
models with a .md2 format, and textures (primarily in .png and .bmp formats). The game's modules are edited and created with an external program called Egomap. Unfortunately, Egomap has a reputation for being buggy, and is not being actively developed.
Much of the game revolves around combat. There are several different types of weapons (crushing, slashing, etc.) that do different types of damage (e.g. cuts, piercings, fire, ice). Each type of weapon has its own advantages and disadvantages, and depending on the type of damage they deal, they may be more or less effective against certain monsters.
In addition to normal melee (or ranged) combat, some character classes are able to use magic. Magic is divided into two types, divine and arcane. Divine magic focuses on healing. It can be used when no weapons are in the characters hand to heal nearby allies, or it can be channeled by special Relics with even more powerful effects. Arcane magic is used through books, which can create various magical effects, some more powerful than others. Most Arcane magic focuses on attacks or enchantments. All magic uses up mana, which can be restored with special potions, and also naturally regenerates.
Characters must progress through the five Palaces in order to retrieve the Sporks so that the Catacombs can be opened.
All of the classes but four are available at the beginning of the game. The Zombi, G'nome, Tourist and Archaeologist classes are unlocked when certain requirements are met.
"Hero classes" are currently being made, which are 'level ups' of the base classes. Each hero class has advanced skills, but also some disadvantages.
Besides the main dungeons, there are also peaceful towns and cities character can enter. Currently there are only three: Zippy Village, Sandweg and the Capital City of Bishopia.
There are also special challenge modules only playable by certain character classes, like K'nife's Heist, which is only available to Rogues. It is unlocked if the Rogue starter is completed with K'nife, an allied NPC, still living.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
dungeon crawl
Dungeon crawl
A dungeon crawl is a type of scenario in fantasy role-playing games in which heroes navigate a labyrinthine environment, battling various monsters, and looting any treasure they may find...
ing action role-playing game
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
with current support for Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, and some earlier versions of Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. Users have downloaded Egoboo over 400,000 times since its first release, but this number is incomplete, since Egoboo can be downloaded from many other sites.
History
The original Egoboo was the creation of Aaron Bishop (who was at first known only as "Programmer X"). With the help of his brother Ben Bishop, he eventually released it as open source. Soon after this, however, Aaron stopped developing the project and it was abandoned. Fairly soon after this, the "Zippy Project" took over, and the game's development continued. The Zippy project eventually died as well. After this, it was taken over by Johan Jansen (alias "Zefz") and the "Resurrection" project.Currently Egoboo is being developed by the previous "Resurrection" project, which has reorganized itself as the official development team.
Development
Egoboo is not yet considered to be complete, though it has been developed for approximately ten years, with new versions being released periodically. Currently the game is developed primarily by a four-person development team, but several other contributors also work on creating new modules (maps), items, monsters, and character classes. The game can be easily edited so new weapons, monsters, etc. can be added without altering the underlying source code. Egoboo has its own scripting language that is used for editing all objects (which includes characters, items, monsters, furniture, etc.). All these objects use 3D3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
models with a .md2 format, and textures (primarily in .png and .bmp formats). The game's modules are edited and created with an external program called Egomap. Unfortunately, Egomap has a reputation for being buggy, and is not being actively developed.
Gameplay
The game has no world map. Instead, locations are selected from a list of available "modules". When modules are finished, more are unlocked. Most modules are only accessible to saved characters, except starter modules that must be completed to create new characters with which to play the game.Much of the game revolves around combat. There are several different types of weapons (crushing, slashing, etc.) that do different types of damage (e.g. cuts, piercings, fire, ice). Each type of weapon has its own advantages and disadvantages, and depending on the type of damage they deal, they may be more or less effective against certain monsters.
In addition to normal melee (or ranged) combat, some character classes are able to use magic. Magic is divided into two types, divine and arcane. Divine magic focuses on healing. It can be used when no weapons are in the characters hand to heal nearby allies, or it can be channeled by special Relics with even more powerful effects. Arcane magic is used through books, which can create various magical effects, some more powerful than others. Most Arcane magic focuses on attacks or enchantments. All magic uses up mana, which can be restored with special potions, and also naturally regenerates.
Story
Egoboos story revolves around the capture of Lord Bishop, the king of Bishopia. He was taken away by the evil Dracolich for unknown reasons, and brave adventurers have risen up to try to rescue him. The Dracolich hid in the Abyss, which is only accessible through secret Catacombs. The Catacombs are sealed, however, and can only be unlocked by the Legendary Sporks of Yore.Characters must progress through the five Palaces in order to retrieve the Sporks so that the Catacombs can be opened.
Classes
Egoboo currently features eleven playable character classes, each with its own unique abilities and skills. Each one has its own special "starter module." When the player completes a starter module, the character is saved and can enter the other areas of the game. There is no limit to how many of each class the player saves, but there is a limit to how many total characters can be displayed on the character selection screen.All of the classes but four are available at the beginning of the game. The Zombi, G'nome, Tourist and Archaeologist classes are unlocked when certain requirements are met.
"Hero classes" are currently being made, which are 'level ups' of the base classes. Each hero class has advanced skills, but also some disadvantages.
World
The primary areas the player must progress through are five palaces which must be completed in order. Once the five magical Sporks have been obtained from each of the palaces, the Catacombs can be unlocked. The Catacombs consist of two levels, and after that, there are two Abyss levels that must also be completed to finish the main storyline.Besides the main dungeons, there are also peaceful towns and cities character can enter. Currently there are only three: Zippy Village, Sandweg and the Capital City of Bishopia.
There are also special challenge modules only playable by certain character classes, like K'nife's Heist, which is only available to Rogues. It is unlocked if the Rogue starter is completed with K'nife, an allied NPC, still living.